Green, Donovan, Bass, . (2010). Taking laptops schoolwide. Iste, 12-15. https://acrobat.com/#d=7rIs4heRCXPhOZp7l-otEg
The Authors Tim Green, Loretta Donovan and Kim Bass explored the factors that made school wide laptop initiatives successful in some schools and unsuccessful in others. Their findings show that schools that have clearly articulate plans and skill sequences mapped out by grade level were schools that had the best chance of successful laptop usage. These schools identify by grade level the skills that were to be taught at each grade level. So that there wasn't a duplication of skills from year to year. The authors also identify four areas that they thought would improve a professional learning community. Those four factors were positive school climate, open communication, opportunity for teachers to collaborate, and progression of use plans.
Q1. Can teachers who are afraid of technology be brought into the digital age?
Yes, as the article indicates those teachers are going to need to be brought along slowly and under the guidance of teachers who are tech savvy. An environment of trust, open communication and collaboration must be established so that there is a way for every teacher to be involved in a way that meets their comfort level.
Q2. Is a organized plan really necessary?
Yes, All good instruction should be mapped out according to levels of readiness. Mapping out tech plans is no less important than mapping out plans to teach mathematics from grade to grade. Skills should build upon each other.
Journal 2: “Join the Flock!”(Nets 1)
Ferguson, HF. (2010). Join the flock!. Iste,37(8), 1pg.
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Join_the_Flock.aspx
Ferguson, HF. (2010). Join the flock!. Iste,37(8), 1pg.
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Join_the_Flock.aspx
Hadley Ferguson outlines some of her personal experiences in learning to use Twitter. She makes a strong argument about using Twitter to create Professional Learning Networks (PLN). She suggests that tweeting could allow a group of learners to come together from any where to give ideas and suggestions. Successful PLN are bases on communication and collaboration. The author says one must commit sometime to develop twitter relationships. She outlines a step by step process to begin using a twitter account. She includes hints on how to be a successful twitter. These hints include; give generally, take risks, get involved, and most importantly expose yourself by giving ideas and thoughts freely.
Q1. Is there any real value in twitter?
Originally i thought twitter was nothing more then a social networking forum. The author has helped me understand that a profession learning network could be a place where learners could gather and share experiences on ideas and thoughts. Critical to this will be identifying people who are looking for the same answers or learning experiences that you are looking for.
Q2. Will i use this in the classroom?
I see this as a professional development tool. I believe twitter is more for the teacher who can gather information on classroom techniques. It may not be the best tool for younger students just yet. I need to learn more about the positives and negatives of twitter before i could take it into the classroom.
Journal 3: “Bring the World into Your Classroom” (Nets 2)
McDermon, L. (2010). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning & Leading with Technology,38, 34-36.
Author Linda Mcdermon shares some creative ideas about how to use video conference and web cam technology to bring twenty-first century learning skills into the classroom. She described how kids could sit in their own classroom while someone from the museum carried a camera around to give them a virtual tour of the museum. This is a unique way to expose kids to a variety of learning experiences without ever leaving the classroom. She went on to describe how kids could present plays and other presentations from classroom to classroom. This experience requires kids to collaborate using technology to explore the world around them. The author also mentioned the use of web cams and professional video conferencing tools as options.
Q1. Do i see myself using this as an option in my classroom?
Yes, the opportunity to explore the world from the safe environment of a classroom is extraordinary. It also exposes students to the effective use of technology in the learning process. In today's budget where every dollar is critical, video conferencing can provide an inexpensive alternative to field trip.
Q2. What are potential concerns with video conferencing?
Most of the concerns about video conferencing are minimized if there is a strong collaboration between the parties who are using the technology. In addition, video conferencing technology appears to be well developed and not prone to technical difficulties. Most people would say that, the number one reason people don't bring technology into the classroom is that when it fails for whatever reason, the lesson is brought to a halt. Video conferencing technology appears to be easy to use.
Most of the concerns about video conferencing are minimized if there is a strong collaboration between the parties who are using the technology. In addition, video conferencing technology appears to be well developed and not prone to technical difficulties. Most people would say that, the number one reason people don't bring technology into the classroom is that when it fails for whatever reason, the lesson is brought to a halt. Video conferencing technology appears to be easy to use.
Journal 4: “Computing in the Clouds” (Nets 2)
Johnson, D. (2009). Computing in the clouds. Iste,37(4),http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Computing_in_the_Clouds.aspx
Johnson, D. (2009). Computing in the clouds. Iste,37(4),http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Computing_in_the_Clouds.aspx
In this article Doug Johnson points out some of the benefits and drawbacks of using web based services instead of hard drives and local networks. He calls the use of web based tools “cloud computing”. Cloud computing means files and programs are not stored on local computers, but are stored elsewhere on the Internet. By storing files outside the computer, the need for costly computer software is reduced. Schools can use the savings to provide each student with a less expensive netbook. He points out that the data security is typically the main concern why educators have not gone to cloud computing. His personal research suggests that security issues are no greater then in traditional computer systems. He does raise the question about how long this free cloud computing service might remain free.
Q1. Is cloud computing a real option?
Yes, school districts like San Diego city schools are exploring cloud computing as a option. Netbooks seem to provide a reasonable tool that supports student learning. The fact that files and data are no longer dependent on a single computer but excesesable from any computer, makes this an attractive option.
Q2. How would students view cloud computing?
My best guest is that as long as students have access to the Internet and enough tools to support there learning. The students data will be available to them as long as the student can get on the Internet. For instance they could use google docs. Which is a program on the cloud that you can create documents and presentations. Google will allow you to keep your data as long as you want and remove it whenever you would like.
Yes, school districts like San Diego city schools are exploring cloud computing as a option. Netbooks seem to provide a reasonable tool that supports student learning. The fact that files and data are no longer dependent on a single computer but excesesable from any computer, makes this an attractive option.
Q2. How would students view cloud computing?
My best guest is that as long as students have access to the Internet and enough tools to support there learning. The students data will be available to them as long as the student can get on the Internet. For instance they could use google docs. Which is a program on the cloud that you can create documents and presentations. Google will allow you to keep your data as long as you want and remove it whenever you would like.
